Symons spent the past four seasons as defensive coordinator and safeties at West Georgia before being hired by University of the Incarnate Word in January to be its defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach.

Norvell did not return messages seeking confirmation but the hire would fill the final vacancy of his staff after Keith Patterson, who was hired to coach linebackers in January, left to become defensive coordinator at Utah State.

While at West Georgia, Symons coached under current Memphis associate head coach Will Hall from 2014-16. Also on that staff from 2014-15 was new Tigers wide receivers coach Desmond Lindsey. Both Hall and Lindsey were hired in January.

Hall also served as an assistant to current Auburn coach Gus Malzahn when the two were Arkansas State in 2012.